How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

Find out how to erase information from your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and restore your device to factory settings.

If you also need to securely erase your Apple Watch, you can use these steps to unpair your devices.

Create a backup

Create a backup. You can restore content, settings and apps from this backup to a new or newly erased iPhone.

Erase and reset your device

  1. Go to Settings.

  2. Tap General.

  3. Tap Transfer or Reset [device].

  4. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.

    Transfer or Reset iPhone screen with the Erase All Content and Settings button.

  5. Tap Continue.

    Erase This iPhone screen with a list of items that will be removed and a Continue button.

  6. Choose to keep or delete your eSIM. If you erase your eSIM, you need to contact your carrier to reactivate your cellular plan.

    An alert asking "Are you sure you want to erase all data?" with buttons to Cancel, Keep eSIM and Erase Data, and Delete eSIM and Erase Data listed after the alert text.

  7. Enter your device passcode.

  8. Enter your Apple Account password.

  9. Wait for your device to erase.

Once the restore process finishes, the Hello screen will appear on your iPhone.

If you can’t erase your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

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